Some in the business community might not see that as good news, given that he might turn his focus to burdening them with more mandates, such as paid vacation for employees at businesses with a staff of five or more. But there are many ways the mayor could make things better for them that don't conflict with his quest to be the leader of the progressive movement.

He could start by dropping in on Muhammad Qureshi and Shahbaz Warraich, who epitomize the entrepreneurial spirit that helps power New York's economy. The two Pakistani immigrants were pursuing their American dream, having borrowed $400,000 and invested savings from the delicatessens they own on Staten Island to open a gourmet halal burger joint in Brooklyn. But their venture has stalled because National Grid won't provide them with natural gas until regulators approve a new pipeline—which has nothing to do with their project. This has left the duo and their families on the verge of financial ruin.

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You'd think any mayor would be beating the drum for the utility to at least push back its deadline for gas-hookup applications so existing projects can move forward. Instead, de Blasio has been touting his pre-K expansion to voters in Iowa and New Hampshire while claiming he can run the city at the same time. His lack of advocacy for business owners such as Qureshi and Warraich shows there's a lot more to the job than checking one's email to see if any more mayoral appointees have quit.

Meanwhile, opponents of de Blasio's jails plan took advantage of the vacuum he created. Last week the City Council's land-use chairman came out against it. Failure to promptly build facilities that rehabilitate rather than wreck inmates—and allow for the closure and redevelopment of Rikers Island—would be a travesty.

On the housing front, NYCHA pulled the plug on a builder's mixed-income project after two years. This not only delayed and jeopardized the numerous and broad benefits of this model project but also sent a chilling message to any business contemplating a partnership with the city.

When merchants open shops rather than go bankrupt, when developers construct mixed- income housing rather than flee the city, when hellhole jails are shut and at-risk New Yorkers are steered into productive lives, everyone wins. De Blasio should be leading the charge on these and other issues. That's what mayors do. Remember?

Crain’s New York Business is the trusted voice of the New York business community—connecting businesses across the five boroughs by providing analysis and opinion on how to navigate New York’s complex business and political landscape.